Greenhorns rise to the occasion in kolam contest
MALACCA: Although people tend to associate the traditional Indian art of kolam drawing with women, a group of boys from St Francis Institution thinks otherwise.
Classmates M. Harishankera, M. Navinraaj, Lee San Thong and N. Rajiv, all 15, said it was fun and exciting drawing kolam, also known as rangoli, for the first time in a competition.
“We got to know about the competition from our teacher. After some discussions, we decided to take part since the PMR exam is over. Wehad a lot of fun,” Rajiv said yesterday.
The group was the thorn among the roses which took part in the state-level 1Malaysia Rangoli Competition organised by the Educational Welfare Research Foundation of Malaysia in collaboration with the Tamil section of the state Education Department.
Kolam, a form of sand art using rice flour, rice or sago, is usually hand drawn at the entrance of Hindu homes to usher in Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Fortune.
Not familiar with the art and how it was done, Lee said his group sought help from their teacher on the techniques and finalised the design three days before the competition.
With Deepavali and 1Malaysia as the theme, Lee said rice of pastel blue, purple and yellow were used to draw a lamp and a 1Malaysia logo with fusion motifs on their design.
“Being the sole male group, we did our best and the effort paid off,” he said.
Also in action was an all-girls group from SMK Tun Haji Abdul Malek which finished their kolam in an hour.
Yong Chhin Wai, Neo Jin Yin, Eee Yu Xuan and Cheng Min Yi, all 13, said the feat was more more challenging than it looked.
Some 300 students from 70 secondary schools in Malacca took part in the competition held at SMK Ayer Keroh here in conjunction with the coming Deepavali.
SMK Infant Jesus Convent emerged as champion in the Under-15 category while SMK Iskandar Shah in Jasin triumphed in the Under18 category.